NAMPA, Idaho – The first time Jayden Bezzant played a game at the Johnson Sports Center he hit seven 3-pointers.

On Saturday, he became the 37th player in Northwest Nazarene men's basketball history to cross the 1,000-point plateau.

Bezzant poured in 26 points as the Nighthawks defeated Alaska Anchorage 80-69 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.

"I had no idea coming into this season that I was close to 1,000," he said. "I feel like I've just joined a pretty elite club at NNU."

The best way to describe Bezzant might be silky smooth. He certainly doesn't look like a player, who can hit you with a stepback jumper, a crossover, a dunk or a rainbow 3-pointer. But he has all of that in his arsenal.

"When he first walked in the gym as a freshman I didn't think he was playing for our team or that he was even a basketball player," NNU redshirt junior Sam Roth said. "He's just laid back and got that low-key vibe about him. He surprises people because he is not like an intense guy out there."

Bezzant, who is from Tauranga, New Zealand, scored 29 points in his first game as a freshman and appeared on his way to destroying that record against Anchorage after he had 20 in the first half. Foul trouble slowed him down, but his teammates picked him up to get the victory.

"It feels like we are getting rolling," he said. "Everyone is kind of finding their place on the team and we are all contributing the best versions of ourselves. It is definitely looking up from here."

NNU jumped out to a 65-51 lead with 9 minutes left in the game before the Seawolves went on a 13-1 run to cut it to 66-64 with 5:54 remaining.

The Nighthawks, though, ripped off a quick 7-0 run to retake command.

Adalberto Diaz hit a long jumper and two free throws and Ezekiel Alley added a 3-pointer.

"I really think our guys have consistently improved and it is fun to watch," NNU coach Paul Rush said. "That is a good Anchorage team we played tonight and it is fun to seem that improvement pay off with some wins."

Alley finished with 21 points and seven rebounds, while Diaz had 16 points. George Reidy had eight points and Gabriel Murphy had six rebounds.

But this night belonged to Bezzant.

"What a special player he's been for us the last four years and to be able to do it on a night where he was able to really get going," Rush said. "I was telling him at shootaround that it's going to happen at some point, that he is going to bust loose and be able to play the way he is capable of. He's the type of kid that doesn't stress at any of that. It was awesome to see."

Bezzant sat out first semester and played just his sixth game of the season Saturday night, but it was his best offensive performance to date.

"I'm definitely much more comfortable and not getting as winded out there," he said. "I feel like my preseason is over and now it is full swing."

The Nighthawks, who have won three in a row, head to Western Oregon at 8:30 p.m. MST on Thursday.